{"id":1728,"date":"2026-04-09T08:41:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/?p=1728"},"modified":"2026-04-09T08:41:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:41:07","slug":"q-a-our-female-industry-experts-explain-why-now-is-the-time-for-women-to-join-the-world-of-engineering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/?p=1728","title":{"rendered":"Q&A: Why is now the time for women to join the world of engineering?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\ufeff<\/p>\n
Q&A: Our female industry experts explain why now is the time for women to join the world of engineering<\/title><meta name=\"description\" content=\"\"><meta name=\"keywords\" content=\"\"><meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index,follow\"><meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index,follow\"><meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary\"><meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Q&A: Our female industry experts explain why now is the time for women to join the world of engineering\"><meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"\"><meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"website\"><meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/media\/press-releases\/q-a-our-female-industry-experts-explain-why-now-is-the-time-for-women-to-join-the-world-of-engineering\/\"><meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Q&A: Our female industry experts explain why now is the time for women to join the world of engineering\"><meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<p><span class=\"rich-text-pumps__text rte__text\">International Women in Engineering Day, which falls on Wednesday 23<sup>rd<\/sup> June, raises the profile of women that work within engineering, celebrating the fantastic work they do, and highlighting the exciting career opportunities available.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>We want to inspire and encourage more women to join the industry, so we chatted to female industry experts about how the world of engineering has changed, the opportunities for women and what you can expect if you follow in their footsteps. Find out what Ella Stokes (Group HR Manager for Vital Energi), Laura Rusholme MSc MCIOB (Head of Estates Projects for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust), and Rachael Mills from SE2 consultancy, had to say!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-image rte\" data-anchor=\"\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-image__wrap\">\n<div class=\"rich-text-image__img-holder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rich-text-image__img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/media\/bvcbma4v\/teamsimage44.png?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=835&height=474&rnd=132887988964800000\" alt=\"Teamsimage44\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/javascript:\" class=\"js-read-more-rte read-more-btn\">Solution detail<span class=\"btn__link font-ico-plus\"><\/span><span class=\"btn__link font-ico-minus\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<p class=\"small\"><span class=\"small\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you think now is a good time for women to join the engineering industry? And can you give some examples of why?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ella<\/strong> \u2013 Never mind \u2018should they join?\u2019 and \u2018is now the right time?\u2019, this industry needs women, so my answer is (and always has been) yes, yes yes! We should always be open-minded and willing to enter into this challenging and diverse industry. There was always a hidden stigma that this is not our domain, but the world has changed and finally opened its eyes.\u00a0 We have amazing skills, passion, confidence, empathy and ability to achieve the results required to succeed like anyone and everyone.<br \/><strong>Laura<\/strong> – Now is a great time for women to join construction and engineering industries. You\u2019ll find a diverse and creative environment, where no two days are the same. But there aren\u2019t enough women considering roles in engineering, which is contributing to the overall skills shortage, so there isn\u2019t a better time to join.<br \/><strong>Rachael<\/strong> – My question is, when is it not a good time for women to join the engineering industry \u2013 or any other industry for that matter?\u00a0 Women should see the opportunities in all sectors, depending on their personal skills and ambitions \u2013 and different sectors should make sure women are welcomed.\u00a0 In some cases, this will mean a societal shift, but so much has already been achieved.\u00a0 It requires women to stand up and follow their dreams \u2013 and for the door to be flung wide open to them.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>What do you consider your biggest achievements <\/strong><strong>in the industry?<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><strong>Laura <\/strong>– As a chartered construction project manager, I have led a number of multi-disciplined projects. My biggest achievement has been as a client-side project manager delivering a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/chp\/\">combined heat and power<\/a> with district heating facility project, of which Vital were our Contractor. I quickly built relationships with Vital and Trust colleagues, working collaboratively to successfully deliver this project.<br \/><strong>Rachael<\/strong> – I\u2019m a people person, so my biggest achievements is when there is collaboration, when we work together to create something bigger than the parts \u2013 when there\u2019s a net sum gain.\u00a0 The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.districtheatingdivas.com\/\">District Heating Divas<\/a> is an example of that \u2013 it\u2019s an informal networking group for women working in every aspect of heat networks.\u00a0 It\u2019s all done freely and is the most supportive group I\u2019ve ever been involved with, especially while we\u2019ve all variously been locked down over the last year or so.\u00a0 We each use the groups as much or as little as we want to, for everything from making business contacts and asking technical questions, to mentoring and personal development.<br \/><strong>Ella<\/strong> \u2013 My biggest achievement is the development and growth of the people around me, not only directly linked with me but within the business and industry as a whole. I came into this industry during my placement year at university, when Vital had less than 25 people – 19 years on, I\u2019m still going strong with this amazing company which now has over 525 employees. I feel incredibly proud to be part of this growth and success. We don\u2019t hold back; we push to make a difference, and I love the values and all of our desires to succeed!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>What changes have you seen regarding women in engineering during your career?<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><strong>Rachael<\/strong> – Well, there\u2019s more of them for a start!\u00a0 I\u2019m always super impressed with the young, smart women I see joining the sector now.\u00a0 They have purposefully chosen engineering and they\u2019re setting about to make it work for them \u2013 and that sometimes means breaking boundaries and being outspoken.\u00a0 Diversity can only be a good thing, regardless of the circumstances, and it\u2019s something that engineering as a whole will benefit from.<br \/><strong>Laura<\/strong> – The number of women in industry is still relatively low. Levelling the playing field is making sure that an environment is created where everyone feels comfortable and supported to take on any responsibility no matter your age, race or gender. Focussing on all workers with the same amount of respect. I have found, working with Vital on the CHP and DH project, that whilst equality, diversity and inclusion is something many organisations are having to put a lot of effort into cultivating, an inclusive and respectful attitude is innately Vital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"quote\">\n<div class=\"wrap quote__wrap\">\n<div class=\"swiper-container js-simple-quotes\">\n<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n<div class=\"quote__holder\"><span class=\"quote__icon\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"36\" height=\"28\" viewbox=\"0 0 36 28\"><g fill=\"#F58220\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M12.319 0h3.648a2 2 0 0 1 1.838 2.788l-10.286 24A2 2 0 0 1 5.681 28H2.033a2 2 0 0 1-1.838-2.788l10.286-24A2 2 0 0 1 12.319 0zM30.319 0h3.648a2 2 0 0 1 1.838 2.788l-10.286 24A2 2 0 0 1 23.681 28h-3.648a2 2 0 0 1-1.838-2.788l10.286-24A2 2 0 0 1 30.319 0z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg> <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"quote__holder\">\n<p class=\"quote__text\">“When I started my career, it was very much a male dominated working environment. Although we\u2019ve seen an increase in the number of women in our industry, we still need more! The thoughts and feelings of \u2018women not being suitable\u2019 is finally changing and that is a breath of fresh air. Vital, as well as other companies within the industry, are looking from grassroots upwards to encourage and entice woman into this world. We want to make a difference and are positively committed to growing and developing our own strong independent woman within all areas of this industry.”<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"quote__author\">Ella Stokes, <span class=\"quote__position\"> Group HR Manager – Vital Energi<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<p><strong>Who and what has inspired you during your time in the industry?<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><strong>Rachael <\/strong>– Unsurprisingly, other women!\u00a0 I am inspired by passionate people.\u00a0 People who want things to work well.\u00a0 People who try to look at problems from a different angle and then do something about it.\u00a0 People who are willing to share their knowledge, expertise and time.\u00a0 There\u2019s lots of them out there \u2013 I feel very lucky!<br \/><strong>Laura<\/strong> –\u00a0I have spent the majority of my career working in construction and estates industries, and what continues to inspire me is the camaraderie between project teams. I attribute this largely to the fact that projects are complex and multi-disciplined, which drives the need for the team to respect one another so that everyone feels comfortable to speak up and voice their opinion, allowing all the different disciplines, diverse experiences and backgrounds to effectively work together openly and honestly to deliver safely.<br \/><strong>Ella<\/strong> \u2013 The people! I have experienced many different walks of life, each with their own personality and traits; some have been compatible to mine, others have been different. However, each and every one of them has inspired and influenced me, showing and teaching me the type of person I aspire to be. The strong characters, from my Board of Directors, team members and colleagues all have differing opinions, which in turn have enhanced my resilience and improved my communication skills to allow me to work coherently and effectively with all. I love the fact that regardless of the differing views and opinions, we all have the same goals\u2026 we want to succeed! To do this, I have learnt we have to all work together, to compromise and be trusting of others and their judgements in paramount.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>What do you think the value of events like Women In Engineering are?<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><strong>Laura<\/strong> – They remind women and society as a whole that a career in a typically male-dominated industry is absolutely a career that they can pursue and succeed in. It is a time to reflect and celebrate how far women have come and be thankful for being born in a generation where opportunities for women to accomplish and achieve what they want from life are the greatest they have ever been, whilst acknowledging challenges women still face.<br \/><strong>Rachael<\/strong> – It puts women in the spotlight and gives organisations an opportunity to shine a spotlight on what they\u2019re doing and what still needs to be done \u2013 and it gives women a voice.\u00a0 However, it shouldn\u2019t just be one week \u2013 we need this embedding 365 days of the year!<br \/><strong>Ella<\/strong> \u2013 It is a positive promotion of a driven and inspiring message. It shows that no matter what your skillset, gender, race, there are opportunities for everyone. The stigma of this industry being a male-dominant world needs to be eradicated. This should not just occur at this time, the message should start being communicated to all from a young age, with organisations encouraging and promoting women into our industry all year round!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>What advice would you give to young women considering a career in engineering?<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><strong>Laura<\/strong> – Go for it, it is a rewarding career. Society is changing and it is apparent that younger generations expect a lot more from their leaders. Organisations are certainly aware of this and are driven to ensure they are engendering a just culture, which is inclusive for all. We\u2019ve already come a long way, if you decide this is a career for you, you could be part of a journey where hopefully one day, future generations of women would see it as the social norm to consider a career in construction and engineering industries.<br \/><strong>Rachael <\/strong>– Do something that you love \u2013 something that interests and maybe even excites you.\u00a0 And if that\u2019s engineering, then go for it!\u00a0 There\u2019s lots of great, supportive networks out there \u2013 find others in your tribe to swap stories and get support from.\u00a0 Many people will happily give their time to help you on your journey \u2013 sometimes you just need to ask<br \/><strong>Ella<\/strong> \u2013 Take the plunge\u2026 It will be worth it! I am not going to lie, like anything in life, there will always be difficult and trying times that we have to face but by joining this world, you will be making positive active steps in making a difference. The rewards, desire to achieve and development of skills showing the younger generations (including our daughters and nieces don\u2019t forget) what they can accomplish, will be amazing and guess what, you will be a part of that!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Whatever stage of your career you\u2019re at, if you\u2019re interested in taking a step into the world of engineering, please don\u2019t hesitate to get in touch with us by emailing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#3e766c7e48574a5f525b505b4c5957105d51104b55\"><span class=\"__cf_email__\" data-cfemail=\"3a72687a4c534e5b565f545f485d53145955144f51\">[email\u00a0protected]<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ufeff Q&A: Our female industry experts explain why now is the time for women to join the world of engineering International Women in Engineering Day, which falls on Wednesday 23rd June, raises the profile of women that work within engineering, celebrating the fantastic work they do, and highlighting the exciting career opportunities available. We want […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"ve_media_section":[3],"ve_media_year":[],"ve_sector":[],"class_list":["post-1728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","ve_media_section-press-releases"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1728","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1728"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1728\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1728"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1728"},{"taxonomy":"ve_media_section","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_media_section&post=1728"},{"taxonomy":"ve_media_year","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_media_year&post=1728"},{"taxonomy":"ve_sector","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_sector&post=1728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}